8th Grade Summer Reading List (ages 13+)

I’m calling this list the 8th-grade summer reading list but it’s really for all teenagers, 8th grade through 12th grade. I’ve marked just a few books with an asterisk that may be better for more mature readers. After all, there’s a big range of development between 13 and 18.

The books listed are excellent, ranging from life-changing to pure entertainment. I’m excited for you to find your favorites.

Comments

Hi Melissa, I’m Diana and I do all writing and public relations for an Automotive (antique) Car Museum in Phoenix, AZ. In an attempt to garner more visitors (families & kids) through the summer, we decided to support a Summer Reading Incentive with prizes donated by the Museum. Would it be all right with you if I used your reading lists? They are wonderful, you’ve thought of everything – I used to be a librarian in a private school and still miss it. Of course, I will re-type all suggestions and offer them in the age appropriate category if you find this acceptable. Many thanks

My son is a 15 years old freshmen in high school. He is on the Autism Spectrum and in his case has difficulty relating to abstract concepts. I think biographies, stories that take place in his native New York City- he identifies with landmarks such as Times Square etc. , historical fiction, current events such as movies that are soon to be released and the process of who produced them, the actors and voice overs.. I need help to find books like this for him to read. So many of the books for his age group focus on ethnic, racial and sexual tensions. He simply does not relate to this underlying themes. Can you help me to find resources for books he can read and relate to?

I have a lot of ideas, yes — they’re all here: http://imaginationsoup.net/best-ya-books-teens/ with reviews. But, right off the top of my head I would suggest: The Great Trouble: A Mystery of London, the Blue Death, and A Boy Called Eel by Deborah Hopkinson The Boys Who Challenged Hitler: Knud Pedersen and the Churchill Club by Phillip Hoose Terrible Typhoid Mary: A True Story of the Deadliest Cook in America by Susan Campbell Bartlett Wild Boy and the Black Terror by Rob Lloyd Jones anything by Steve Sheinkin